Portable loading canopy



Nov. 20, 1962 F. J. MARINO PORTABLE LOADING CANOPY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 6. 1960 R m m m 0 2 \q t J 37 Q m o 2 2 2 NN 0 QA &

FRANK J. MARINO BY ma 5W ATTORNEY Nov. 20, 1962 F. J. MARINO 3,064,667

PORTABLE LOADING CANOPY Filed April 6. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANK J. MARJNO BY @61 3 My ATTORNEY States 3,054,667 Patented Nov. 21), 1962 3,064,667 PORTABLE LOADING CANOPY Frank J. Marino, 8802 Foster Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed Apr. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 20,474 4 Claims. (Cl. 1357.1)

This invention relates to a portable canopy which is particularly useful in connection with the loading or unloading of goods and the transfer of the same between warehouses, loading docks, piers, ships, trains and the like.

In loading and unloading operations, it is desirable to protect the goods being handled, as well as the handlers, from adverse weather conditions. However, the open area which is to be covered to achieve the desired protection, and extends between a ship, train or trunk on the one hand, and the loading dock, warehouse or the like, on the other hand, may vary substantially in length.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide an improved loading canopy which is extensible to various lengths, to enclose open areas of varying lengths; such canopy being contractible to minimum longitudinal extent; and further, being portable, so as to simplify storage of the canopy when not in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved portable loading canopy, which is of relatively simple construction and inexpensive to manufacture; which is readily manipulated to extend or contract the same; and which may be easily moved to any desired location for either use or storage.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved portable loading canopy which may be moved to any desired location of an exposed nature for protecting goods deposited in such location.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portable canopy embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view thereof; and

FIG. 4 is side elevational view thereof showing the canopy in contracted condition.

Essentially, the portable canopy embodying the instant invention comprises a plurality of U-shaped frames in inverted, parallel relation; the side portions of the frames being interconnected by movable means which permits the frames to be extended to vary the length of the canopy, and to be contracted to compact form when the device is not in use. A flexible covering is applied to the frames for coextensive movement with the frames, as the same are extended or contracted. The frames are provided with rollers at their lower ends to facilitate the movement of the canopy.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the portable canopy embodying the invention is generally indicated at 10. The same comprises a plurality of inverted U-shaped frame members 11 which are disposed in parallel relation and interconnected by linkages 12, which permit frame members 11 to be displaced from each other, to an extended position, or to be contracted.

Each frame member 11 comprises a top portion 13 and depending side portions 14, 15. Rollers 16 are mounted in brackets 17, which in turn are afiixed to the lower ends of frame portions 14, 15.

Each linkage 12 comprises a pair of similar bars 18, 19 interpivoted at their mid-portions as at 20. A series of collars 21 are respectively fixed on upper portions of frame side portions 14, 15 by cross pins 22. Each collar 21 includes a laterally projecting portion 23 to which the overlapped upper ends of bars 18, 19 are pivoted as by a pivot pin 24. The collars 21 are maintained at a common horizontal level on frame portions 14, 15.

A series of collars 25 are slidably mounted on frame portions 14, 15; said collars 25 having laterally projecting portions 26. The lower, overlapped ends of bars 18, 19 are pivoted on collar portions 26 by pivot pins 27. It will be apparent that the collars 21, 25 on the opposite end frames 11 have single bars 18, 19 pivoted thereto.

A flexible, weatherproof covering 30 of canvas or plastic coated fabric, is disposed over the exterior of frames 11 and suitably lashed to frame portions 13, 14 and 15, in a manner known in the art. It will be apparent that covering 30 will be stretched when frames 11 are extended, and will pleat and fold between the frames 11, when the same are moved toward each other, as indicated in FIG. 4.

Thus, frames 11 may be moved away from each other through operation of linkages 12, to any desired length within the limit of maximum extension, thereby accommodating a particular length of open spacing between loading platforms, trucks and the like, which is to be enclosed. Rings 31 on frame portions 14, 15 at the lower ends thereof, may be used to lash the canopy 10 to cleats or the like on floors, door frames or the like, to secure said canopy 10 against movement.

Since canopy 10 is highly mobile, the same may be readily moved from place to place, as desired. Furthermore, the canopy may be used as an independent shelter on piers or the like, the same being extended to desired length for protecting cargo or the like disposed on the pier.

The frame members 11 and linkages 12 may be formed from aluminum or other light alloys, to minimize weight of the same. Furthermore, the members 11 and linkages 12 may be of channel or other suitable cross section to attain maximum strength.

As various changes might be made in the embodiment of the invention herein shown without departing from the spirit thereof, it is understood that all matter herein shown or described shall be deemed illustrative and not limiting except as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. A portable canopy comprising a plurality of inverted U-shaped frames, each frame comprising a top portion and side portions depending from opposite ends of said top portion, means for interconnecting said frames for movement toward and away from each other, said interconnecting means comprising a plurality of pairs of interpivoted bars, each pair of interpivoted bars being located between the side portions of a pair of adjacent frames, first collar means fixedly mounted on the side portions of each frame of said pair of frames, means pivotally connecting one end of one bar in a pair of interpivoted bars to the first collar means on one frame of said pair of adjacent frames, means pivotally connecting one end of the other bar in said pair of interpivoted bars to the first collar means on the other frame of said pair of adjacent frames, second collar means slidably mounted on the side portions of each frame of said pair of adjacent frames, means pivotally connecting the other end of said one bar to the slidable collar means on the other frame of said one pair of adjacent frames, and means pivotally connecting the other end of said other bar to the slidable collar means on the one frame of said one pair of adjacent frames.

2. A canopy as in claim 1 wherein each of said interpivoted bars has a length substantially equal to the length of said frame side portions.

3. A portable canopy comprising a plurality of inverted U-shaped frames, each frame including a top portion and side portions, a plurality of sets of linkage means interconnecting said frames to allow said frames to be moved toward and away from each other, each linkage means comprising a pair of bars interpivoted at their midportionsand located between the side portions of a pair of adjacent frames, means fixed on a portion of the side portions of each frame of said pair of adjacent frames and respectively pivotally connected to one end of each bar of said pair of interpivoted bars, means slidably mounted on another portion of eachframe of said pair of adjacent frames and respectively pivotally connected the other end of each bar of said pair oi interpivoted bars, and flexible covering means secured to the top and side portions of said framesfor concurrent movement therewith as said frames are moved toward and away from each other.

4. A canopy as in claim 3 wherein said fixed means comprises a collar mounted on the upper portion of the side portions of each frame and the slidable means com-t References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 364,034 Nye May 31, 1887 675,519 McDonnell June 4, 1901 694,097 Freuler Feb. 25, 1902 2,470,337 Campbell May 17, 1949 2,486,170 Kavanaugh Oct. 25, 1949 2,598,844 Simons June 3, 1952 I FOREIGN PATENTS 626,838 France May 21, 1927 

